How JustAnswer Works:

Experts are full of valuable knowledge and are ready to help with any question. Credentials confirmed by a Fortune 500 verification firm.

Get a Professional Answer

Via email, text message, or notification as you wait on our site.Ask follow up questions if you need to.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Rate the answer you receive.

Ask Dr. Bruce Your Own Question

Dr. Bruce, Dog Veterinarian

Category: Dog Veterinary

Satisfied Customers: 1264

Experience: over 13 years of experience as a small animal veterinarian

33084435

Type Your Dog Veterinary Question Here...

Dr. Bruce is online now

when does your dog stop going into heat or do they ever . I have a female chihuahua that a

Resolved Question:

when does your dog stop going into heat or do they ever?. I have a female chihuahua that after not going into heat for quite awhile ,not that I have noticed anyway. She's about 10-11 years old has a swollen vulva,no smell but slightly bloody discharge. My males are not interested in this and It's not the first time. Is this normal or should I get her to a vet? Thankyou for your time. Sincerely, XXXXX XXXXX

Most female dogs will go into heat every 6 months or so for about 7-14 days each time. If she is not interesting to the males right now, and she usually is when she is in heat, then I would be concerned about some other issue.

She may have an infection of the vulva or uterus that is causing the discharge. I would be particularly concerned about a condition called pyometra, which is a type of infection of the uterus that can actually be life threatening. The fact that there is a discharge may mean that she has an open variety of pyometra, which would be slower to cause problems.

I would strongly encourage taking her to be seen by a vet, just in case it is pyometra. If that is the problem, then she will need to be spayed as soon as possible.

My only problems with the answer is that I have been breeding dogs for 16 years now and I would agree with the infection suggestion except that if this were pyometra wouldn't there been an odor to her discharge? Like I said she seems otherwise perfectly healthy and I'm wondereing if maybe there isn't something that stops the scent from being strong enough to attract my two males that have been nutered ? Thank you and once again thanks for your time.Karen Soens

Yes, it would be expected that if it were pyometra it would likely have a foul odor to it. However, I have seen some cases of open pyometra that started out as a bloody discharge with a normal acting dog, then progressing to a purulent (pus) discharge. It certainly would be worth getting her checked out or at least trying a course of antibiotics to rule out infection.

The other possibility is that she is still cycling and going into heat, but due to her age, she isn't generating the levels of hormones and odor that is attractive to the males.

I will tell you that...the things you have to go through to be an Expert are quite rigorous.

What Customers are Saying:

It was so professional, so personally concerned (as we were) and you answered all of our questions. George and I are so happy that I found "JustAnswer" on my Google search -- you are now in my "Favorites" list! And, yes we do love our kitty - she makes our life complete!Bev & GeorgeBoca Raton, FL

It was so professional, so personally concerned (as we were) and you answered all of our questions. George and I are so happy that I found "JustAnswer" on my Google search -- you are now in my "Favorites" list! And, yes we do love our kitty - she makes our life complete!Bev & GeorgeBoca Raton, FL

This expert is wonderful. They truly know what they are talking about, and they actually care about you. They really helped put my nerves at ease. Thank you so much!!!!AlexLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for all your help. It is nice to know that this service is here for people like myself, who need answers fast and are not sure who to consult.GPHesperia, CA

I couldn't be more satisfied! This is the site I will always come to when I need a second opinion.JustinKernersville, NC

Just let me say that this encounter has been entirely professional and most helpful. I liked that I could ask additional questions and get answered in a very short turn around. EstherWoodstock, NY

Thank you so much for taking your time and knowledge to support my concerns. Not only did you answer my questions, you even took it a step further with replying with more pertinent information I needed to know. RobinElkton, Maryland

Ask a Dog Veterinarian

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

49 Dog Veterinarians are Online Now

Type Your Dog Veterinary Question Here...

characters left:

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.